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Rethinking International Institutions: a Global South Agenda

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Rethinking International Institutions: a Global South Agenda RETHINKING INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A GLOBAL SOUTH AGENDA Centre for Global Governance and Policy Jindal School of International Affairs & Jindal Global Law School O.P. Jindal Global University “JSIA will make a signal contribution to scholarship and training in India in the area of International Affairs. The vision of its founders, the quality of its faculty and the careful design of its programs of study all make this an institution with the highest potential. I am honored to serve on JSIA’s Board of International Advisers.” Beth Simmons Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University. “There are many asymmetries of capability in this increasingly globalized but highly unequal world. For universities and social science scholarship, one of the most immediate asymmetries is in higher education: not enough scholars are educated in the rapidly growing developing countries, familiar with their conditions and reflecting their distinctive perspectives. If the Jindal School of International Affairs helps to alleviate this asymmetry, it will be a very important institution indeed.” Robert O. Keohane Professor of International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University. “JSIA is an important intervention in India’s higher education system by bringing in a much-needed social science focus. This School will enhance knowledge about Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in India and play a pivotal role in re-energising South-South cooperation, which requires rigorous intellectual exchange and action in the context of a changing world order.” Horace Campbell Professor of Political Science and African American Studies, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. “JSIA’s establishment is an important milestone. I very much endorse its broad and integrated approach toward studying international affairs. As India is emerging to be a major power on the global stage, JSIA will play a valuable and critical role in preparing its students and scholars for global politics and economics. I have long maintained a strong research interest in India and I look forward to serving on the advisory board of JSIA.” Yasheng Huang Professor of International Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). “The establishment of JSIA is a significant development in the promotion of teaching and research in the field of international relations. JSIA is expected to emulate the high standards of the Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), which has emerged as an illustrious institution in a short span. It deserves support and encouragement from all quarters.” Yogesh Tyagi Former Dean of the School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University. “The UNU strongly supports the planned establishment of Jindal School of International Affairs in the current academic year, as the third school of O.P. Jindal Global University.... By applying the global perspective and approaches of JGU in the context of international affairs, the Jindal School of International Affairs has the potential to make a significant contribution towards scholarship and the training of future international leaders..., the UNU is keen to engage in collaborative initiatives with JGU and the new Jindal School of International Affairs. ” Professor Kazuhiko Takeuchi Vice Rector, United Nations University Director, UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace, Japan FOREWORD The Centre for Global Governance and Policy (CGGP) at O.P. Jindal Global University is deeply committed to promoting inter-disciplinary research on issues relating to global governance. It combines the research initiatives of the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) and Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), underscoring the importance of an analytical study of law, policy and international institutions. In an increasingly interdependent world, there is need for institutions of global governance coming together to work on issues affecting the world at large. Historically, developed countries assumed a leadership role in formulating and shaping the institutions of global governance. However, this has changed in the recent past and the rise of some countries within the “Global South” has created new conditions for dramatic transformations in the development of new world order. The nature and contours of this new world order are evolving rapidly. But there is no doubt that the rise of Asia, including India and China; the processes of political transitions that are taking place in the Middle East; and the efforts to seek social and economic development in Africa and Latin America will shape this agenda. JSIA has set for itself an ambitious agenda in promoting cutting edge research on the critical issue of international politics and global governance. JSIA has established a strategic partnership with the United Nations University that reflects its institutional commitment for research and capacity building. I would like to congratulate the efforts of Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, Vice Dean of JSIA, and Professor Jonathan A. Burton-MacLeod, Assistant Professor, JGLS, for producing this important report, “Rethinking International Institutions: A Global South Agenda”. I have no doubt that this report will generate critical debates within India and overseas and generate engaged discussions on issues relating to global governance with specific reference to the role played by the “Global South”. I would like to place on record the contribution of the research associates and students of JGU who contributed to this publication. I would like to appreciate the efforts of Mrs. Usha Chaulia in designing the cover page of the report beautifully reflecting the theme of the report. I sincerely hope that the report is read by foreign policy analysts, experts in international think tanks and inter-governmental organisations and officials in the foreign ministry in India and other parts of the world as it provides critical analysis on larger issues relating to global governance and south-south cooperation. Professor C. Raj Kumar Vice Chancellor O.P. Jindal Global University i PREFACE This report is intended to initiate fresh thinking about old issues; thinking beyond the relationship between the Global North and the Global South to parse the complexities of South-South relations, and how this set of increasingly variegated developing countries view the existing set of formal and informal international institutions. The report seeks to uncover patterns of diversity and similarity in Global South voices vis-à-vis these institutions. The major concrete policy recommendation contained in this report is to institute a Standing Committee on International Institutional Reform at the G-77 level, under the aegis of India as a lead convener. It is our sincere hope that such a forum can be created soon, given the rapidly changing power equations between Global North and Global South as well as new relationships emerging within the Global South. The Centre for Global Governance & Policy (CGGP) would like to acknowledge a host of contributions to this report. Research Associates, Ms. Ruchira Goel and Ms. Arpita Gupta from Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) and Mr. Jasbir Rakhra from the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) contributed large portions of original research. Thanks also to Mr. Kiran Mohan, a 2010 Global Research Intern at JGLS, for his research contribution. Enthusiastic student researchers of JGLS, who did initial data mining on the international institutions surveyed in this report, include Ankit Grewal (LL.B. Honours), Ayesha Jamal (B.A. LLB), Devasheesh Bais (B.A. LLB), Jayant Malik (B.A. LLB), Kabir Choudhary (B.A. LLB), Kartik Prasad (B.A. LLB), Kunal Chaudhary (B.A. LLB), Mekhala Dave (B.A. LLB), Preksha Malik (B.A. LLB), Siddhant Vyas (B.A. LLB) and Yashaswini Mittal (B.A. LLB). The Jindal School of International Affairs is unique in its emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge. CGGP, jointly held between JGLS and JSIA, reflects that approach. JSIA has received a very positive applicant response to its Master’s degree in Law, Diplomacy, and Business (M.A. DLB), which will further this approach in years to come. Embedded in O.P. Jindal Global University, the Master’s programme relies on the interdisciplinary breadth in International Relations, International Law and International Business to encourage problem-solving and knowledge creation, preparing policymakers equipped to tackle the complexities of today’s globalised world. This report is the first of many that will emerge from JSIA’s stable of world class knowledge in international studies. Dr. Sreeram Chaulia Professor Jonathan A. Burton-MacLeod Vice Dean, Jindal School of Assistant Professor International Affairs (JSIA) & Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) & Executive Director Assistant Director Centre for Global Governance and Centre for Global Governance and Policy (CGGP) Policy (CGGP) ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I INSTITUTIONS: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF GOVERNANCE 1 A Search for Equity amidst ‘Thick Institutionalism’ 4 Beyond a Monolithic Global South Vision of International Institutions 7 PART II VOICES AND TUSSLES ON GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS 13 Formal Institutions 13 A. Fighting for Relevance: The UN Security Council 13 A-1) Dissatisfaction with the Security Council 13 A-2) Politics and Proposals of the Global South on Security Council Reform 14 A-3) Question of Veto 17 A-4) Divide on Regional Representation 19 A-5)
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